MINISTERIAL VISIT TO FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1803, 19 March 1918, Page 3

MINISTERIAL VISIT TO FOXTON.

' CIVIC WELCOME. The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) j accompanied by the Minister for Lands (Hon D. H. Guthrie), Mr AV. il. Field, M.P., for the constituency, Mr Ed. Newman, M.P. for Kangilikei, Mr J. D. Ritchie, chairman of the Land Purchase Board, and Mr G. H. McClure, Commissioner of Crown Lands, visited Foxton on Saturday. The object of the visit was to inspect certain land for soldier settlement purposes in the district, view the Foxton wharf, shortly to be acquired by the Harbour Board from tire Railway Department, and to make an inspection of the Round Busli, which the Government, has set apart as a national reserve, The party set out from Wellington in ideal weather, and on arrival at Levin were met by the Mayor (Mr C. Blenkhom), and in motor ears we so taken round the district to inspect land Suitable for closer settlement, particularly by returned soldiers. The country was showing signs somewhat of the summer season, but the openings for closer settlement were apparent. The late J. R. MacDonald's estate and other lands were inspected, and if anything like a reasonable price could be agreed upon at which the land conll be acquired, (he Government could obtain some line dairying country for our discharged soldiers desirous of going upon the land. From the Levin district the Ministerial party proceeded to Foxton, where the Mayor (Mr Chrystall), borough councillors, the Chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr Heniiessy), Mr E. Newman, M.P., and a large gathering of citizens had assembled at (lie Municipal Chambers to welcome the visitors. In the course of his remarks, the Mayor referred ■to Mr Massey’s political career and Ids personal good qualities, and said (hey welcomed him as the head of the National Government. They bad all sunk their political differences, and wore united in working for the common aim, which was to defeat the national enemy. He regretted (hat the Prime Minister could not spend more time here, and that the present visit was so hurried. The citizens would like to have had an address from the Prime Minister in the Town Hall during the evening, and have been afforded an opportunity of suitably entertaining him. In replying to the welcome, the Prime Minister, who was most cordially received, expressed his great pleasure at this, his first visit to Foxton. The last three years had been full of heavy responsibilities and heavy work, and he had been, unable to spare much time from headquarters to visit many parts of the Dominion. He congratulated the district on its evident prosperity,. He was aware that Foxton in the past had experienced local difficulties, some of which had been ventilated in Parliament, but most of these had been settled, and there was every reason for predicting a bright future fur the town and district. The Premier referred to the struggle which Ihe Harbour Board had been engaged in to secure the wharf, and in lids connection mentioned the. names of Messrs Field, Newman, Slovens, M’s.P., and the Board’s ehainimu (Mr Hcnnessy).

Mr Massey said lie Lad never seen the Dominion looking so well and prosperous. Our lines were east in pleasanl places as compared with other parts of the Empire in these dark days of war. The combination of the loyally and patriotism of our people on the one hand and the industry and energy of our settlers on the other hand had achieved a two-fold result. It had placed Xew Zealand in the van as far as the Empire was concerned and at the same lime had rendered the Dominion prosperous, and therefore so well aide to do her full part in the present national crisis. Xew Zealand had made sacrifices, but they could not compare -with those made hy’tlie heart of the Empire itself and hy our Allies.

Referreing In the present shipping outlook, Mr Massey said that lie should-have bleed to have been able to get more hemp shipped, hut owing to the scarcity of shipping this was impossible. He referred to the recent shipping losses. The Imperial Government bad requisitioned Xew Zealand produce to the extent of twenty-live millions sterling'annually. This involved their undertaking to provide shipping to take it away, which was a vital factor for the prosperity of the Dominion. Troubles had been experienced in the past, and the position had to bo anxiously and most carefully watched. Ho was sorry that he could not promise that, the outlook would he better than it was to-day, but bo hoped it would not be long before they were able Jo get all their produce shipped, even that which the Imperial Government had not taken over, including Jinx. Apparently it was impossible to say how long the submarine menace was to continue. The Xational Government had laid down a definite course of policy, which was to enable Xew Zealand to do her.full duty to the Empire in The time of its trial, and also at the same time to keep the country prosperous.. The Government had endeavoured to do what was right, arid he hud no doubt that right would prevail.. (Applause.) He thanked the citizens on behalf of himself and colleagues for the welcome, and hoped he would be able to again visit Foxton in .the piping tunes of peaco to which they were

all looking forward. The Mayor moved a vote of thanks to the Premier and party-, which was seconded by Mr P. Henr.essy, who paid a tribute to the. Ministry for the manner in which it had assisted the Board to overcome its difficulties in acquiring the wharf. Mr Hennessy added that in the very near future the Board would pay over the purchase price of the wharf to the Railway Department. The National Anthem was then sung, after which the party visited the wharf. The visitors were then entertained at luncheon at Whyte’s Hotel, and were subsequently motored out to the Round Bush. The party did not inspect the bush, but discussed certain matters in connection therewith. The visitors were then motored to Shannon, and inspected the Moutoa Estate en route. At Shannon the party were wel-. corned by the Mayor (Mr Murdoch). In the course of a short speech, Mr Massey gave an outline of the policy of discharged soldiers settlement, under which 600 returned men had already been placed upon the land. Every help and advice in securing suitable sections was given to intending soldier settlers, and so far tiie number of failures had been very few. Referring to the war, the Prime Minister said he was sorry that at present there was no sign of the end. No one could foretell, but it was almost certain that we were on the eve of serious developments on the Western front. It was. there that the final battle of the'Svar would be fought. There was pending the greatest battle in the world's history, and this would decide who was to win the wax’. It might not mean the end, but it would determine whether Germany or Britain and her Allies were to have the upper hand. However long the struggle continued, whatever sacrifices were required to win, would be provided by the people of the Empire. The future of our race, of our civilisation, and of the Empire was in (lie balance, and they had to see the war through to a decisive victory, (Loud applause.) Leaving Shannon, the party proceeded by road to Otaki, where they were met by the chairman and members of the Town Board. Visits were paid to the Maori Mission Church, famous for its carvings and interior decorative work, and to the •sanatorium and hospital, The party returned to Wellington later in the evening, after a strenuous and interesting day’s travel.